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Chair Carey said that this resolutian makes it clear that the Board supports the activities of the <br />IFC and clarifies that the County property on Homestead Raad would not be the best site available for an <br />expansion of the IFC homeless shelter. <br />Pamela Smith, President of the Interfaith Council for Social Service, read a prepared <br />statement. In summary, she thanked the Board far the partnership with the Interfaith Council, especially <br />the Project Home Start project. Before the IFC Board can make a decision regarding the best location <br />far continuing the operations of community house and community services programs, it needs to know <br />whether County land is in fact a real alternative. <br />Commissioner Halkiatis said that he had hoped that the IFC would indicate that by the County <br />Commissioners approving this resolution, it would help IFC to move forward on their relocation plans. <br />Pamela Smith said that the IFC Board needs to know if the County land is available for a <br />passible site because there are no commitments from anyone else on a possible site. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that the purpose of this resolutian was to indicate to the IFC that <br />there are no available footprints on this property for a homeless shelter in addition to Project Home Start. <br />She said that the intention of Project Home Start was to provide a place far homeless women and <br />children separate from homeless men and give victims of domestic violence a safe place to stay. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he does not read this resolutian as the County saying na to <br />the IFC. He feels that it puts the Homestead property at the edge of the table. <br />Chair Carey said that the Board remains supportive of IFC's efforts. <br />Commissioner Jacobs clarified that this resolution does not preclude the IFC from considering <br />this site in the long run. <br />Pamela Smith said that the IFC shares the concern of relocating the men's homeless shelter <br />next to the Project Home Start shelter. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that if this resolutian is passed it says that the Baard encourages <br />the IFC to place its emphasis on sites other than the Southern Human Services Center property in the <br />short term. She said that it does not mean that the Board would vote to put the IFC homeless shelter <br />there in the long term. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he feels that there is a difference of opinion on the warding <br />of this resolution. He will vote against this so that the door is not closed far the IFC. <br />A motion was made by Chair Carey, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve and <br />authorize the Chair to sign the resolution as stated below: <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE INTERFAITH COUNCIL (IFC) IN THE SHORT TERM TO <br />PLACE ITS EMPHASIS ON SITES OTHER THAN THE SOUTHERN HUMAN SERVICES <br />CENTER SITE FOR FUTURE IFC FACILITY DEVELOPMENT <br />WHEREAS, Orange County has historically demonstrated strong support for the mission of the Interfaith <br />Council (IFC) and maintains great respect and appreciation far the work done by the IFC; and <br />WHEREAS, Orange County pledges its support to IFC in all manners deemed appropriate by the Board <br />of County Commissioners; and <br />WHEREAS, Orange County has previously provided three acres of land at the Southern Human Services <br />Center (SHSC) site in support of IFC initiatives; and <br />WHEREAS, on November 29, 1999, the Interfaith Council (IFC} requested that the County clarify its <br />intentions regarding the possible availability of land at the SHSC site for the location of an IFC facility; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, the County purchased the SHSC property, consisting of a total of 34 acres of land on <br />Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, with the express purpose of accommodating the long term need for <br />County services for citizens in the southern part of the County; and <br />